VP, Global Supply Chain Engineering with a Major Retailer – Indianapolis, IN

Role Overview for VP, Global Supply Chain Engineering with a Major Retailer – Indianapolis, IN

JRG Partners is proud to partner with a world-renowned, multi-billion dollar retail giant in their search for a transformative Vice President of Global Supply Chain Engineering. Based in the strategic hub of Indianapolis, IN, this executive will serve as the principal architect of the company’s future distribution and fulfillment network. This is a career-defining opportunity to lead a large, multi-disciplinary team of engineers and analysts, driving innovation and operational excellence across a complex and expansive global supply chain. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of advanced automation, robotics, network modeling, and industrial engineering principles within a high-volume retail or e-commerce environment. You will be responsible for a significant capital budget, charged with designing, building, and optimizing the facilities and processes that will enable our client’s growth for the next decade and beyond. You will report directly to the Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain and will be a key member of the supply chain leadership team, collaborating with C-suite executives to align engineering strategy with overall business objectives. Your work will directly impact speed to market, customer satisfaction, and profitability, making this a highly visible and impactful role within the organization.

Key Responsibilities of VP, Global Supply Chain Engineering with a Major Retailer – Indianapolis, IN

The Vice President of Global Supply Chain Engineering will have a broad and strategic scope of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Strategic Network Design & Long-Range Planning: Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year strategy for the global distribution network. Utilize advanced modeling and data analytics to determine optimal facility locations, sizes, and functions (e.g., fulfillment centers, distribution centers, cross-docks) to support business growth, new market entry, and evolving customer expectations.
• Capital Planning & Management: Oversee a substantial annual capital expenditure budget for all supply chain engineering projects. Develop rigorous business cases, ROI analyses, and financial models to justify investments in new facilities, automation, and technology. Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the specified quality standards.
• Automation & Technology Innovation: Act as the company’s foremost expert on material handling equipment (MHE), automation, and robotics. Continuously scan the market for emerging technologies and lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of solutions such as Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), sortation systems, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and goods-to-person technologies.
• Facility Design & Engineering: Lead the end-to-end design and layout of new (greenfield) and existing (brownfield) distribution and fulfillment centers. This includes process flow design, equipment specification, workstation ergonomics, and the integration of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Warehouse Control Systems (WCS).
• Process Improvement & Operational Excellence: Champion a culture of continuous improvement across the network. Implement and sustain Lean, Six Sigma, and other industrial engineering methodologies to optimize productivity, improve quality, reduce costs, and enhance workplace safety. Drive the development and standardization of supply chain management best practices.
• Team Leadership & Development: Build, mentor, and lead a world-class global engineering organization. This includes industrial engineers, project managers, data scientists, and facility designers. Foster an environment of innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. Set clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching and feedback.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a key strategic partner to leaders in Operations, IT, Transportation, Merchandising, Finance, and Real Estate. Ensure seamless alignment and integration of engineering initiatives with broader company goals. Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to non-technical stakeholders, including the executive leadership team.
• Performance Analytics & Reporting: Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for all engineering functions and projects. Utilize data to drive decision-making, identify opportunities for improvement, and report on the performance and financial impact of the engineering organization.

Requirements for the VP, Global Supply Chain Engineering with a Major Retailer – Indianapolis, IN

We are seeking a seasoned executive with a proven track record of transformational leadership in a complex supply chain environment. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Educational Background: A Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field is required. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) or an advanced degree in Engineering or a related discipline is strongly preferred.
• Executive Experience: A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in supply chain engineering, with at least 7-10 years in a senior leadership capacity (Director, Senior Director, or VP level) overseeing large, distributed teams.
• Industry Expertise: Direct experience within a large-scale, high-volume distribution environment is essential. Strong preference will be given to candidates from the retail, e-commerce, third-party logistics (3PL), or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries.
• Technical Acumen: Deep, hands-on expertise with a wide range of material handling and automation technologies. Proven experience leading the design and launch of highly automated facilities. Proficiency with network modeling software, AutoCAD, and data analytics tools (e.g., SQL, Tableau, Power BI).
• Financial Acumen: Demonstrated ability to manage large capital budgets ($100M+ annually) and develop compelling, data-driven business cases. Strong understanding of financial metrics such as ROI, NPV, and IRR.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to think strategically and develop long-term plans while also managing day-to-day execution. A track record of successfully developing and implementing network-wide strategies that delivered measurable business results.
• Leadership & Influence: Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate large teams. Proven ability to influence and build consensus across all levels of an organization, from front-line associates to the C-suite. Excellent communication and presentation skills are mandatory.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed to visit facilities, meet with vendors, and oversee projects (estimated 25-40%).

Benefits & Perks Offered

Our client offers a highly competitive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier talent. This includes:

• Competitive Base Salary: An attractive six-figure base salary commensurate with experience.
• Executive Bonus Program: A significant annual performance-based bonus opportunity.
• Long-Term Incentives: Meaningful equity grants (e.g., RSUs, Stock Options) as part of the total compensation package.
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: A full suite of medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents.
• Retirement Savings: A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match.
• Paid Time Off: A generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday policy.
• Relocation Assistance: A comprehensive relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family.
• Employee Discount: A substantial discount on company products.
• Professional Development: Support for ongoing learning, certifications, and attendance at industry conferences.

How to Apply

This is an exclusive search being conducted by JRG Partners. If you are a transformative supply chain engineering leader ready to make a lasting impact on a global retail leader, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience. Qualified candidates will be contacted by a JRG Partners recruiter for a confidential discussion. To learn more about our expertise in this area, please visit our Supply Chain & Logistics recruiting practice page.